Are you focusing on only one plane when doing kokyu-ho? Just forward, left, and right? Or maybe you’re also conscious of “back”?

What about up and down?

Lots of people don’t think about the up and down dynamic in kokyu ho.

In today’s video, I’m going to share...

This was my first-ever visit to Aikido of Berkeley. We had a fantastic turnout. Michael Sensei, Kayla Sensei and I had a super fun time, both on and off the mat!

If you have trouble viewing the photos below, click here to go to my Instagram account.

 

 

 

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Have you ever experienced “Teacher Burnout”? Do you feel like you’re on autopilot and just going through the motions?

First of all, you’re not alone. This happens to lots of instructors.

Secondly, kudos to you for continuing to show up, in spite of feeling burnt out. You...

Is it sometimes hard for you or your students to improvise and be spontaneous in your Aikido training? Do you or your students sometimes get stuck in a routine?

In today’s video, I’m going to share a clip from a seminar I did back in 2018 with some of my sempai from Japan.

I enter as...

Have you ever caught yourself trying to predict if an intro student will join the dojo? Or how long they’ll continue training? Or make other kinds of predictions?

When I first started teaching, I found myself doing this often. But I don’t do this anymore. It doesn’t even occur...

How’s Iriminage for you? Do you have struggles with it? Do you love it? Do you hate it?

In today’s video, I’m going to share a couple clips from a seminar I did back in 2018 with some of my sempai from Japan.

I mostly address the issue of entering properly and the footwork for...

Have you ever had a student who seemed to need clear instructions for every technique, so they never developed to the point of being able to make unique adjustments on their own to each unique moment or situation?

There are so many people who prefer or even seem to NEED to learn by verbal...

Do you find yourself trying to push down on your partner’s arm during Ikkyo? Or going up on your tiptoes to reach their arm? Either option doesn’t really serve you.

If you push down, they only get stronger. And if you go up on your tiptoes, you get weaker and less grounded.

In...

Have you ever told yourself that as a teacher, you shouldn’t have favorites? You shouldn’t favor one student over the other.

I’ve been teaching for about 40 years and I now believe that while we shouldn’t let ourselves give up on any student, it’s natural and we...

Do you ever use shoto for atemi in Iriminage?

When working with wakizashi, I find it really interesting to let the wakizashi swing upward, along uke’s centerline, rather than go straight to their face, like a jab.

And I find that if I teach my students this way, the atmosphere of the dojo...

Get a glimpse into the lives of real people in Ukraine in this powerful and moving live recorded conversation with five Ukrainian Aikido instructors.

After a brief introduction of each instructor, they each have a turn to answer the following questions:

1. How has the war impacted your life...

Have you ever been frustrated (or maybe even insulted) with how your students treat you? Do you think they’re not very respectful?

First of all, you’re not alone. A lot of instructors feel this way.

Secondly, you’re not going to like what I have to say on this topic. I’ll...